Sgt. Jason Price with the Hampton Police Division said officers were called to the 1600 block of West Pembroke Avenue around 5:50 a.m. for a report of a vicious dog. There, they found the Pit Bull tethered to a fence. A law against tethering went into effect in Hampton in 2013.

When animal control officers arrived on scene, Price said the dog freed itself and charged a police officer that initially arrived on scene. The officer, fearing for his safety, shot one round and hit the dog. The dog was pronounced dead at the scene.

The dog’s owner has not been located at this time.

As with any police-involved shooting, two investigations will be conducted – one criminal and one internal.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.